Update on Virginia Wine Showcase

I got an e-mail from Joe David, about the Virginia Wine Showcase. Here is an excerpt:

In respect to those with unused tickets, the Farm Wineries Council of Virginia will honor Virginia Wine Showcase tickets at any one of the other four wine tastings the association has planned for 2010.

Ticket holders may select their favorite Farm Wineries Council event, including The Spring Wine Festival at Great Meadow – May 22-23; The Commonwealth Cup Wine Festival at the Plains – September 11-12; The Old Town Alexandria Wine Festival – Oct 9-10; or DC’s Holiday Wine Mall – December 4-5. The barcode of the Wine Showcase tickets will be valid until it is used at one of these events. Ticket holders may visit www.virginiawineevents.com/seasonpass.html for all event dates and details.

Tickets holders on file will be contacted by e-mail with the specifics. Those who purchased Metro passes and couldn’t use them, because of the Metro shut-down, will receive a full refund.

No word on whether or not vendors will be compensated. The numbers I have seen in comments here and other forums is that there were anywhere from 6 to 100 people on Saturday. While there were more people who showed up on Sunday, reports indicate that attendance was still down 75% from last year.

Calling Out the Virginia Wine Showcase

Normally, I try not to post too many negative things about the Virginia wine industry. Its not that I worry about repercussions (after all, no one actually reads this blog except for comment spammers ;)), but as an emerging wine region Virginia is bound to have growing pains. In this case though, I think needs something needs to be said.

I like the Virginia Wine Showcase. I think they put on a good show that is an excellent value for the money. They also do a lot of outreach to bloggers, and, frankly, its a great way to break up the monotony of winter.

As most of you know, the Washington DC area got 2+ feet of snow this weekend and everything is completely shut down, except the Virginia Wine Showcase. Some of the comments on the front page of the event are ridiculous:

Come early and get stuck in a room full of snow while the snow plow does its thing
Main Roads are usually in pretty good shape ... Sunday is supposed to be nice ...

I understand that they invested a lot of money in the event and stand to lose a great deal if they have to cancel the event, but that is what event insurance is for. The fact that they are refusing to issue refunds is horrible.

Unless they change their policy on this I will not mention or post any more of their events, here or at the wine club. I know that I don't actually have any influence, so it doesn't really matter whether or not I do this, but I still think it needs to be said.

One of the side benefits of going to many wine festivals is getting to sample a variety of food. I don't mean the concession stands, but wine festivals tend to attract interesting vendors with food that matches up well with the local wines. This has been my experience not only in Virginia, but also in California, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Some of the highlights from last weekend's expo:

Cabot Cheese: Not local, but a staple at almost every wine show I have been to, and thank the gods for that. Rounding a corner and running into the Cabot Cheese booth always brings a smile to my face, not only are the cheeses good, but they also always seem to place the booth right when I need some protein (and the generously handed-out coupons don't hurt either).

Wine-Ohh: I actually don't like their name all that much, but most people thought it was cute. The jams listed on their site were good, the highlight, though, was their wine salsa (not listed on their site). A fantastic alternative to grocery store salsas.

Carriage House Products: Another staple at local wine festivals their Cheese Straws are like crack. I always pick up a couple of tins, they are a great evening snack with a bottle of red.

Simply Cheddar: A yummy cheddar ball mixed with onions and a pecan crust. An interesting alternative to standard cheeses.

Velatis: If you are like me, your only experience with caramel was wrapped around an apple around Halloween. This is nothing like that, these caramels were amazing, but I have to warn you, if you get the chewy ones, make sure your teeth are firmly attached. Wondering what wine goes well with Caramel? Try a Seyval Blanc.

I spent most of Sunday at the Virginia Wine Showcase helping a friend celebrate her birthday. The expo itself was nicely done, it was not too crowded, we never had to wait more than a minute to taste at any of the booths and the wineries were well spread out.

There were quite a few new wineries on display, several of note:

Acorn Hill Winery: Out of Madison, this is a winery that I have wanted to visit for while, so I am glad I got the chance to hit their table. They had an excellent Pinot Gris and their 2006 Cabernet Franc was excellent, blended with a little Merlot to take the edge off the tannins. It was a little young, but should be very good in 6 months to a year.

Vino Curioso (the website is not up yet): Out of Winchester, this is a fun winery. The tasting room is still under construction, but they have a good compliment of wines. Highlight was also the Cabernet Franc (they call it Franc the Tank). A peppery wine, low tannings and a lighter finish than what I am used to in Virginia Cabernet Francs, but still a nice wine.

Vault Field: Part of the Northern Neck Wine Trail, this winery has two good blended wines: Conundrum a blend of several whites...none listed and their Reserve Red a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Reserve Red is a deep red wine with hints of Cherry and Blackberry. An excellent wine.

I'll put up a second post discussion the food vendors...but enjoy some pictures from the show.

Are you looking to re-stock your wine cellar after a winter spent emptying it out? There are three really good opportunities coming up over the next three months:

1. The Virginia Wine Showcase is coming up February 9th to the Dulles Expo Center. Dezel says there may be a blogger's booth there (I won't be in the booth, I have drinking to do ;)) and Deidra will also have a booth. It looks like a lot of fun, but it is the first year this has been done...so be patient.

2. Later in the same month, and spilling over into March is the 9th Annual DC Food and Wine Festival. This festival attracts wineries from all over the world, and 1000s of people. Last year it was a little crowded, so I recommend getting there early. Also, while the sampling of wines is great, it is light on the food part (at least it was last year), so eat before you go.

3. Moving to the end of April, the St. Michael's Food and Wine Festival runs from April 24th to the 27th. I've never been but I have heard really good things about it and I am trying to set up an interview with the organizers to get more information for you all.

Sorry about the dearth of postings, I have a whole bunch coming up :).

In case you hadn't heard, there is a new Virginia wine festival in town. The Virginia Wine Showcase is being held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly Virginia on February 9th and 10th. They even offer gift cards, which is a neat idea.

They look like they have some interesting seminars -- including one on Bordeaux futures -- and most of the big Virginia wineries will be there. All this and it is indoors :).